More information: myers@niu.edu or niu.edu/careerservices/career_fairs/index.shtml

Professional dress recommended. A shuttle bus will be provided during fair hours between the Convocation Center and the Holmes Student Center.

Toddler Time

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

Infants, toddlers and their caregivers are invited for stories and songs. A craft is led right after story time.

Healing with Humor

Time: Noon – 1 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23

Place: KishHealth System Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Hospital

More information: 815-748-2958 or kishprograms.org

Humor releases endorphins, reduces pain, reduces the need for medication, shortens healing time and stimulates the immune system. Learn about the medical benefits of laughing in this free program. Registration required.

Academic entertainer Barbara Rinella will present in character as Cleopatra, based on the book "Cleopatra: A Life" by Stacy Schiff. The event begins with a reception in the theater lobby, and the presentation begins at 2 p.m. Proceeds support the DeKalb Public Library's expansion fund.

Teacher in the Library

Time: 4 – 5:15 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 250 or dkpl.org

Retired teacher Marti Brown will provide free homework help to students in District 428 grades 3-5. Registration required; there is a limit of five students for each session.

Free Community Meal

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Date: Every Wednesday; next, Oct. 23

Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.

More information: feedemsoup.org

For transportation, call 815-293-7433. Diners pay what they can; those who cannot pay can eat for free. Choose from spaghetti with marinara sauce, meatloaf with mashed potatoes or chicken fajitas with rice and beans, all served with soup or salad.

Big Read Story Time

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

Western-themed stories and creating a book with stamps and stickers. Kids can create a journal and write their own adventure.

Panera Story Time

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 24

Place: Panera Bread, 2476 Sycamore Road

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

Story time for preschoolers, presented by DeKalb Public Library. After the story, children who registered for the event will receive a cookie and milk from Panera. Limit 16 children; registration required.

The NIU College of Education hosts a panel of superintendents of public school districts in DeKalb, Sycamore, Rockford and Wheaton. The public is invited to meet these administrators, ask questions and learn about public schools today.

Cowboy Randy, the Yodeling Rope Juggler

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 24

Place: DeKalb Public Library

Cowboy music, folklore, and history, plus rope tricks. Learn about the origins of cowboy culture: how they lived, worked, and spun their tall tales. Also learn about the animals cowboys worked with and the animals they fought against on a daily basis.

Tickets: $13 general admission, $20 priority pass, which jumps to the front of the line

Not recommended for children younger than 13.

Boot Camp for New Dads

Time: 9 a.m. – noon

Date: Saturday, Oct. 26

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

Cost: $15

More information: 815-748-8962 or kishprograms.org

This program for fathers-to-be is taught by veteran dads who bring their babies to class. Learn about infant basics, becoming a dad, forming a new family and caring for new moms. Registration required.

Children can trick-or-treat at participating businesses. There will be a craft inside The House Cafe, and a kid-friendly tour of the haunted house at the Egyptian Theatre.

The Blacksmith Trade

Time: Noon – 4 p.m.

Date: Sunday, Oct. 27

Place: Glidden Homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway

Free blacksmith demonstrations and tours of the home of Joseph F. Glidden, who invented The Winner style of barbed wire there in 1874. At 1 p.m., the homestead's head blacksmith, Lucio Bortolin, will give a presentation titled, "The Blacksmith Trade Yesterday and Today."

Chill Out: A Children's Guide to Relaxation

Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Date: Monday, Oct. 28

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

More information: 815-748-8962 or kishhealthprograms.org

Parents and children ages 9 to 11 are invited to this interactive workshop led by a clinical psychologist and a professional counselor to learn fun ways to unwind, relax and rest. This event is free; registration is required.

Blood Drive

Time: 3 – 7 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29

Place: Neptune Hall, 800 Lucinda Ave.

Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness With or Without Diabetes

Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29

Place: Kish Health Roberts Conference Center

Cost: $5

More information: 815-748-8962 or kishhealthprograms.org

Learn how to be not just symptom-free, but truly fulfilled. Neither fluffy self-help nor an updated understanding of positive thinking, this is a scientific approach to well-being. Registration required.

Tweens Halloween Party

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29

Place: DeKalb Public Library

Snacks, games and costumes to help kids ages 10 to 14 feel like they've traveled back to the 1870s.

Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance seniors present their annual Halloween-themed sketch comedy show. Concessions will be available for purchase. There will be a raffle to throw a pie in the face of one performer, and an audience costume contest each night. Tickets available at the door only.

Northwest Suburban Astronomers and the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District will present a public star party. The public is invited to look through NSA member telescopes and learn about the night sky. Dress for a cold evening and bring a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane. In inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

Bus Trip: Chicago History Museum

Time: Bus departs at 10:30 a.m.

Date: Sunday, Nov. 3

Place: Bus departs from and returns to the Northern Illinois University School of Art parking lot

A bus trip to the Chicago History Museum to see the exhibits "50 Years of Ebony Fashion Flair: Inspiring Beauty" and "Vivian Maier's Chicago." Bus returns about 6:45 p.m. Registration and payment due by Oct. 31.

The guided, two-hour bus tour features local sites significant to the life of Joseph Glidden. Tickets include museum admission. The homestead and barn will also be open for tours, and the blacksmith shop will be working.

Blood Drive

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 6

Place: Chick Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

ESMOND

Fall Bazaar

Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 2

Place: Esmond United Methodist Church

Baked goods, crafts, and home-based vendors from companies like Pampered Chef, Scentsy and Thirty-One. The kitchen will serve coffee, coffee cake and cinnamon rolls; chili and chicken noodle soup will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will also be a silent auction.

GENOA

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Wednesdays; next, Oct. 23

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Hymn Sing

Time: 6 p.m.

Date: Fourth Sunday of every month; next, Oct. 27

Place: Emmaus Baptist Church, 701 Pearson St.

Bingo

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, Oct. 29

Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.

Luncheon for New Residents

Time: Noon

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30

Place: Cafe 72

Lunch for people new to Genoa.

Electronics Recycling Collection

Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Date: First Saturday of each month; next, Nov. 2

Place: City Hall east lot

Items accepted for recycling include anything with a battery or that plugs into a wall; batteries; refrigerators; monitors; scrap metal; cardboard and plastic.

HINCKLEY

Story Time

Times: 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays

Dates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October; next, Oct. 23

Place: Hinckley Public Library, 100 N. Maple St.

More information: 815-286-3220 or hinckley.lib.il.us

Story time for children ages 2 to 5. Register at the library.

Sci-Fi Movie Marathon

Time: 6 p.m.

Dates: Daily Oct. 28 – 31

Place: Hinckley Public Library, 100 N. Maple St.

More information: 815-286-3220 or hinckley.lib.il.us

Free screenings of 1950s sci-fi movies, with free popcorn. For middle school students through adults. Registration required.

MAPLE PARK

Crazy Quail's Pulling for Special Olympics

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 26

Place: 5N299 County Line Road

Cost: $40

More information: 630-365-2943, mppdpfo@gmail.com, or www.pullingforspecialolympics.com

Participants in groups of 10 will shoot at 120 clays per minute. Includes 50 shells; additional rounds available for $20 per 25 rounds.

SHABBONA

Blood Drive

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Date: Monday, Oct. 28

Place: Indian Creek High School, 506 Shabbona Road

SYCAMORE

Story Time

Times: 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 7 p.m. Thursday

Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays through April; next, Oct. 23

Place: Sycamore Public Library

More information: 815-895-2500 or sycamorelibrary.org

For independent children 3 to 6 years old. Caregivers must remain in the library, but need not remain in the room with the children.

Bingo

Time: Card sales start at 6 p.m.; play begins at 7:15

Date: Every Wednesday; next, Oct. 23

Place: Sycamore Veterans Home, 121 S. California St.

Pumpkin Festival Kick-Off

Time: 4 – 9 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23

Place: Downtown Sycamore

Children can drop off decorated pumpkins on the courthouse lawn from 4 to 9 p.m. for the Lions Club contest. Trick-or-treating at downtown business from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The cutting of the giant cake will take place on the courthouse lawn at 5 p.m.

Pumpkin Celebration

Time: 7 – 8 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 24

Place: Sycamore Public Library

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade can enjoy games, pumpkin story time, and treats.

All are welcome at this free party. Costumes are encouraged. Games, bounce houses, snacks and more. Reservations required.

Autumn Craft & Treasures Market

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday

Dates: Oct. 26 and 27

Place: Sycamore High School field house

Cost: Adults $2, seniors and K-12 students $1

Pumpkin Festival

Date: Saturday, Oct. 26

• 10 a.m. Giant pumpkin weigh-in at the courthouse lawn

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Historic Homes Tour. Tickets are $20 for ages 12 and older and are available at the Sycamore History Museum and Sweet Earth Gifts.

• 2 p.m. Jesse White Tumblers perform in the 100 block of Somonauk Street, followed by Istvan and His Imaginary Band

• 4 p.m. Pie-eating contest on the courthouse lawn

• 6 – 8 p.m. Creepy Crawly Halloween Party at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St. Nonmembers $8, members, $6. Trick-or-treat through the decorated museum. Meet tarantula breeders, have your photo taken with the museum's live creepy-crawly critters, check out the grossology lab, and enjoy games, candy and prizes.

• 6 p.m. Scary Stories in the Cemetery at Elmwood Cemetery. Stories are very scary; not for children. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and flashlights.

A free class through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on safe hunting and firearm handling. Students must attend all three classes. This course is required for anyone born in 1980 or later to obtain an Illinois hunting license.

Civil War Embalming: A Demonstration of Period Technique

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Monday, Oct. 28

Place: Sycamore Public Library

More information: 815-895-2500, ext. 27

Jon Austin will present a 19th-century medical school lecture, using a re-enactor "corpse" as a visual aid. Topics include verifying death, period medicine, the preparation of dead soldiers for shipping and burial, and Lincoln's funeral.

Toddler Time

Time: 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Date: Tuesdays through April; next, Oct. 29

Place: Sycamore Public Library

More information: 815-895-2500

Music and stories for children aged 18 months to 3 years old.

Haunted Evening at the Jane Fargo

Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30

Place: Jane Fargo Hotel

Cost: $35 in advance, $40 at the door

More information: 815-762-6948 or mediummark.net

Psychic medium Mark Dorsett and Deb Eineke will lead a haunted tour of the historic hotel. The evening will begin with a buffet-style dinner before the tour. After the tour, guests will be treated to dessert and psychic impressions of the hotel's "permanent guests."

Cooking for Kids Sake

Time: 5 – 8 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 2

Place: St. Mary Memorial Hall

Cost: Adults $25, children 10 and younger $10

A competition among child chefs. Age groups are middle school, high school and family. Visitors can sample all of the foods and vote for the best. The event will also include a magician and family-friendly band.

WATERMAN

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Thursdays; next, Oct. 24

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Electronics Recycling Collection

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Fourth Saturday of even-numbered months; next, Oct. 26

Place: City lot on Route 30

Items accepted for recycling include anything with a battery or that plugs into a wall; batteries; refrigerators; monitors; scrap metal; cardboard and plastic.